NEWCASTLE.-KounterKulture, the brainchild of Newcastle-based gallery Opus Art, promises to revolutionise the art market by giving art lovers an unprecedented level of access to contemporary artists, their work, and a location for collectors to trade their pieces commission free.

For the first time ever, KounterKulture will enable collectors and art lovers to watch artists creating new works live on the Internet, while simultaneously interacting with them in various dynamic ways. Collectors are able, as never before, to communicate with an artist through various stages in the production of an artwork, following an idea from its inception, gaining insight into inspiration and method, to the completion of a unique work. This offers viewers all the benefits of a gallery setting while completely overcoming the geographical limitations of conventional galleries.

KounterKultures unique new collectors forum allows collectors to communicate with one another, access unbiased art market research, analysis and advice from ArtTactic, and privately trade pieces from their own collections. This last feature will allow collectors to completely avoid the added expense of gallery commissions, which traditionally swallow up a large chunk of the sale price.

Collector Paul Hammond after previewing the site had this to say, I am completely blown away by what KounterKulture is offering: a commission free zone; ArtTactic analysis of the latest auctions and buying trends; a chance to see works as they are made; first pick of art work, its unbelievable.

Art lovers and collectors are not the only ones who will benefit from this new venture, artists are also going to have incredible new advantages. Because KounterKulture features a much smaller number of artists than traditional galleries and commercial websites, each individual has a significantly greater, more exclusive presence, allowing them the opportunity to build more in-depth relationships with collectors, communicating their own unique approach more effectively.

Hush, one of the artists launching with the site, believes, this is an incredible experience. Its like having an invisible documentary film crew following me as I do my work. No more trips to the galleries, the galleries have come to me.

Chris Kettle another artist involved said, Its amazing being able to communicate and receive feedback from my audience. This has allowed me to take my work in directions that I hadnt been able to in the past.

kounterkulture.org is now available for browsing and is launching with an exceptionally diverse group of emerging artists, including the award-winning Royal College of Art graduate Hector de Gregorio, New York based Crash, who is collected by the likes of Eric Clapton and John Mayer, and Becks Canvas Award winner Charlotte Bracegirdle. Other artists exhibiting with Kounter Kulture are Chris Acheson, Carolina Ambida, Charlotte Bracegirdle, Teresa Duck, HUSH, Chris Kettle, Josie McCoy, Lex Thomas and Karl de Vroomen.